2012-4355. Certain Pasta From Italy: Extension of Time Limit for the Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dennis McClure, AD/CVD Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: [phone].

Background

On August 26, 2011, the Department of Commerce (“Department”) published a notice of initiation of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain pasta from Italy, covering the period July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part, 76 FR 53404 (August 26, 2011). The preliminary results of this review are currently due no later than April 1, 2012.

Extension of Time Limit of Preliminary Results

Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”), requires that the Department make a preliminary determination within 245 days after the last day of the anniversary month of an order for which a review is requested. Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act further states that if it is not practicable to complete the review within the time period specified, the administering authority may extend the 245-day period to issue its preliminary results to up to 365 days.

We determine that completion of the preliminary results of this review within the 245-day period is not practicable. Additional time is needed to gather and analyze a significant amount of information pertaining to sales practices, manufacturing costs and corporate relationships pertaining to both companies participating in the review. In addition, one of these companies is requesting revocation. Given the number and complexity of issues in this case, in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act, we are fully extending by 120 days the time period for issuing the preliminary results of review. Therefore, the preliminary results are now due no later than July 30, 2012. The final results continue to be due 120 days after publication of the preliminary results.

This notice is published pursuant to sections 751(a)(3)(A) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

Dated: February 17, 2012.

Christian Marsh,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations.